16 things to do on the Isles of Scilly with kids

One of the biggest joys of exploring the Isles of Scilly with kids is relaxing. This is the kind of place where you slow down naturally, and enjoy the simple pleasures – walking, building a sandcastle, eating and drinking by the sea.

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So when you’re planning a family holiday, don’t even think about trying to pack every day so full of activities that you’re frantically trying to tick things off a list. But at the same time, don’t miss out on the chance to explore. There are five inhabited islands, each with their own personality, and boats running between them all.

Where you make the balance is up to you – but for some inspiration, here are my top16 things to do in the Isles of Scilly with kids.

Hire bikes

With that relaxed atmosphere and some gorgeous scenery, you can’t leave without exploring a little. And quiet roads, even on the biggest island of St Mary’s, make it perfect for hiring bikes.

On the biggest island, St Mary’s Bike Hire has trailers for younger kids as well as tagalong options if you’re looking for things to do in Scilly with younger kids.

Sightsee by golf cart

The islands may be small but there are plenty of hills – if you don’t fancy towing a trailer or your kids aren’t up to cycling or walking long distances, try hiring a golf buggy instead.

Besides, pootling around in a buggy is easily one of the most fun things to do in Scilly.

Take a boat to another island

One  of my favourite Isles of Scilly activities is a boat trip, and there’s plenty of choice whether you fancy your own mini adventure or more organised day trips.

The Boatmen’s Association boats run every day from the quay at St Mary’s to St Martins, St Agnes, Bryher, Tresco and uninhabited Sampson. Queue up, buy a ticket and hop on board.

The times change slightly depending on weather, tides and which island you’re visiting, but there are usually two to three departures a day. Make sure you check where the boat picks up, as it’s not always the same spot as the one you land at unless you want your days out in Scilly to turn into an unexpected overnight adventure!

See three islands in one day

My favourite way to start a trip is a day out with Calypso Boat Trips. When you’re looking at what to do on the Scilly Isles, this island hopping tour helps to give a taste of three different islands and get your bearings for the rest of the holiday.

Ours started with St Agnes in the morning, where you’ll have time for a stroll and a bit of sandcastle making, then Tresco for lunch and to explore the Abbey Gardens and an afternoon on the beach (or tea) at Bryher.

This is one you do need to book as there’s a maximum of 12 on board.

Here’s what we saw in a day trip to three islands…

Spot seals from a glass bottom boat, Isles of Scilly

The Sea Quest Glass Bottom Boat is another great day out, starting with a trip to the Eastern Isles to spot seals. So many seals you’ll quickly lose count as they swim, sun themselves and squabble on the rocks – as we discovered on our day trip.

The glass bottom is useful to keep kids entertained along the way, although you’re more likely to see seaweed than fish.

Then (unless you choose to return to St Mary’s), you get the rest of the day on another island, with the choice depending on weather and tides – we found ourselves on St Martin’s, with one of the loveliest beaches in the UK.

Swim with seals

If you want to get closer than a boat, families with older kids (eight and up) can snorkel with them on trips from St Martin’s with Scilly Seal Snorkelling. Fortunately wet suits are provided!

Expect curious seals checking out your fins… and one of the most memorable kids activities Scilly has to offer.

Go to the beach

You are never far from a beach on any of the islands and you’ll find pristine sand and gorgeous turquoise water around practically every corner.

It’s hard to narrow down the choice to a few options – checking out every stretch of sand and tempting cove would keep you occupied for quite some time if you’re wondering if there are enough things to do on the Isles of Scilly with kids. In fact, it’s a challenge I quite fancy!

To pick a few, Pentle Bay on Tresco has been called so safe that no lifeguard is needed, while wild Hell Bay on Bryher looks out to the Atlantic. On the other side of the island, Church Quay beach is calm and great for paddling.

The Bar on St Agnes is perfect for sandcastles, or head south to Beady Pool on Wingletang Bay. On St Martin’s, Higher Town bay is quieter while Lower Town bay is spectacularly beautiful.

And on St Mary’s, Porthmellon is fantastic for beachcombing, Porthcressa for shells and wide open sands and Pelistry for sheer loveliness.

Follow a treasure trail

If you’re staying at Tregarthen’s Hotel, as we did, their treasure trails are a great way to see the island if you’re looking for things to do on St Mary’s – there are two for this island, one which you can do in just over an hour and which is mostly buggy-friendly.

Perfect for spotting the little details you might otherwise miss, they’re great if you’re visiting the Isles of Scilly with a toddler, to encourage them to keep exploring.

If you’re not staying at the hotel, stop in and have a drink and pick one up at the same time.

Wander a subtropical garden

The fantastic climate of the islands means you get impressive plants as well – little Carreg Dhu Gardens on St Mary’s is a lovely taste but the magnificent Tresco Abbey Gardens is one of the best known things to do on the Scilly Isles. 

The gardens include shipwrecked figureheads, a shell grotto, plants galore as you explore – if you’re sharp-eyed – the rare Scilly Shrew.

Walk around one of the Isles of Scilly

You can get the whole way around St Mary’s, the biggest island, in five to seven hours if you fancy a fun challenge.

Allow more time with younger children, or try a shorter loop, but there are fantastic cliffside paths to discover as well as nature trails and quiet roads to wander around.

Here’s where our walk on St Mary’s took us…

Visit Cromwell’s Castle

On a rocky promontory between Bryher and Tresco, Cromwell’s Castle is one of the few surviving Cromwellian fortifications in Britain, built in 1651 – you can spot it on a boat trip, or look over from the islands on one of your days out in Scilly.

Meanwhile King Charles’s castle nearby up the hill, towards the north of Tresco, is in ruins… 

For rainy days on Scilly

This corner of Cornwall has some of the best weather in the UK, but if you’re unlucky and wondering what to do on the Isles of Scilly in the rain, head to the Phoenix Craft Studio and check out one of their craft sessions, not to mention some lovely souvenirs.

Unfortunately the small indoor soft play area called Kings of the Castle in Old Town on St Mary’s has now closed.

Discover some history

EDIT: The museum on Church Street has closed but the Town Hall on St Mary’s is due to be transformed as the Isles of Scilly Cultural Centre and Museum, to house the collection

Another good option for wet and windy days is the Isles of Scilly museum on St Mary’s. With information about the island’s history, including collections from shipwrecks, Romano-British artefacts, stuffed birds and local art, there’s even a wildflower display in the summer.

Go and play

The Isles of Scilly are a natural playground – but if kids want the traditional kind, St Mary’s has two play parks, including a pirate ship at The Garrison.

There’s also another by Porthcressa if you want more adventurous climbing frames by the sea.

Eat ice cream in a maze

On St Agnes there’s a stone maze, with the original thought to date back as far as the Viking era – the circular stone pattern was also believed to send sailors a fair wind, so there’s plenty to get the imagination going too.

Helpfully, it’s near Troytown Farm where you can meet the cows behind their famously good homemade ice cream.

Drink some local wine

Not one but two vineyards to explore (one to time for toddler nap time perhaps?).

On St Martin’s, the Vineyard is open Wednesday to Friday during the summer. Holy Vale Wines, in the heart of St Mary’s on the Nature Trail, is temporarily closed but normally has tastings available too.

Need more tempting? Here are 39 reasons to visit the Isles of Scilly with kids or read my complete guide to the Isles of Scilly with kids…

*First published 2014, updated 2026*

PIN FOR LATER: ISLES OF SCILLY WITH KIDS

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